Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.

The Rise of Rome

The Roman Republic is one of the most breathtaking civilizations in world history. Between roughly 500 BCE to the turn of the millennium, a modest city-state developed an innovative system of government and expanded into far-flung territories across Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. This powerful civilization inspired America's founding fathers, gifted us a blueprint for amazing engineering innovations, left a vital trove of myths, and has inspired the human imagination for 2,000 years.

1066: The Year That Changed Everything

With this exciting and historically rich six-lecture course, experience for yourself the drama of this dynamic year in medieval history, centered on the landmark Norman Conquest. Taking you from the shores of Scandinavia and France to the battlefields of the English countryside, these lectures will plunge you into a world of fierce Viking warriors, powerful noble families, politically charged marriages, tense succession crises, epic military invasions, and much more.Your journey starts in the 10th and early 11th centuries, when power in England and Normandy was very much up for grabs-and when the small island nation was under continuous assault from Viking forces. Professor Paxton helps you gain a solid grasp of the complex political alliances and shifting relationships between figures such as Emma of Normandy, Cnut, and Edward the Confessor. She also recounts for you the two seminal battles that pitted England against the Scandinavians and the Normans: the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings. Throughout the lectures, Dr. Paxton opens your eyes to continued debates and controversies over this year and offers her own take on the Norman Conquest's enduring legacy and the fascinating results of this epic clash. By exploring the year 1066-what led up to it, what happened during that fateful year, and what changed as a result-you'll gain a sharper perspective and a greater understanding of everything that would come afterward.

The Foundations of Western Civilization

What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.

The Iliad of Homer

For thousands of years, Homer's ancient epic poem the
Iliad has enchanted readers from around the world. When you join Professor Vandiver for this lecture series on the Iliad, you'll come to understand what has enthralled and gripped so many people.Her compelling 12-lecture look at this literary masterpiece -whether it's the work of many authors or the "vision" of a single blind poet - makes it vividly clear why, after almost 3,000 years, the
Iliad remains not only among the greatest adventure stories ever told but also one of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written.

The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean

Take a riveting tour of the Italian peninsula, from the glittering canals of Venice to the lavish papal apartments and ancient ruins of Rome. In these 24 lectures, Professor Bartlett traces the development of the Italian city-states of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, showing how the modern nation of Italy was forged out of the rivalries, allegiances, and traditions of a vibrant and diverse people.

L Minnema says:"excellent overview of interactions between cities"

Publisher's Summary

Clearly, the Greeks are a source of much that we esteem in our own culture: democracy, philosophy, tragedy, epic and lyric poetry, history-writing, our aesthetic sensibilities, ideals of athletic competition, and more. But what is it about Hellenic culture that has made generations of influential scholars and writers view it as the essential starting point for understanding the art and reflection that define the West? This series of 24 lectures by an accomplished Greek scholar and teacher traces the complex web of links between the present and its Mediterranean origins, taking you from the Late Bronze Age up to the time of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great. It's an intellectual journey that lets you see ancient Greek civilization in the light shed by the newest and best research and criticism, expanding your understanding of history, literature, art, philosophy, religion, and more.

With a special focus on the two crucial centuries from 600-400 B.C.-the era of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars and of classical Athens as described in the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides and the philosophic dialogues of Plato-you'll come to understand how the uniquely "Greek" identity was forged, and how it gave root to so much of what we consider vital about our own present day. Just as important, you'll learn how the differences between our own modern values and beliefs and those of the Hellenic world-including slavery and the exclusion of women from public life-do not imply a lack of relevance to our own times but can instead teach us as just much as our affinities.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

The professor who does this series is brilliant and those who have some familiarity with ancient Greek civilization will enjoy the insights and interpretations he offers. I highlighted the fact that the author does A LOT of interpreting in this series. Because of this, while he does cover all of ancient Greek civilization from its origins in Minoan and Mycenean civilizations to its radical change in Alexander the Great, he is not as comprehensive as I would have liked and leaves some gaps and much material untouched. Those of you who are looking for a good, first, general overview of ancient Greek civilization should look elsewhere. However, if you've already had your overview and would like to hear the perspective of a well established scholar on the ancient Greeks, then this book will be right for you.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Jay

VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MN, United States

18/02/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"A little disappointed"

Any additional comments?

I recently listened to the History of Ancient Rome by Garett Fagan and was blown away. He did a fantastic job of telling the story from start to finish, level setting for those who are new to the topics and left you filled feeling quite knowledgable. Therefore, I was expecting something similar from Ancient Greek Civilization but that was not the case.

This speaker seemed to assume you had more background to begin with, bounced around a lot more and was more interested in discussing interpretations than walking you through the basic story. I think I would've enjoyed this more if I had first took a course on Ancient Greek history and listened to this afterwards. It felt more like a conversation you would have after taking such a course.

20 of 22 people found this review helpful

SAMA

Earth

07/01/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent look at Greek history"

We all know a little about Greek mythology, but most of us don't really know the chronology of Greek history. This course helps set that straight in very interesting, easy to digest lectures.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

chris

Jacksonville, FL, United States

04/06/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Lots of information and lots of fluff"

I'll make this quick. The course covers Greek civilization from roughly 1100 or so BC until the conquering of Greece and Persian by Alexander the Great. The only downside to this course is the professor adds a great amount of fluff and repetition. I liked certain parts, but wish I would have downloaded the other great courses lectures on Greek Civilization.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Emily

Portland, OR, United States

11/09/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"enjoyable and informative overview of Greek Civ"

I liked everything about this course -- the pacing was good, I learned a great deal, the lecturer was enjoyable to listen to. I found myself looking forward to each time I could find time to listen.

To respond to some of the other reviewers, I thought it was pitched at a good level. Although he assumes some knowledge, it seemed reasonable (like knowing the Theseus story or who Schliemann was). For me, it was a similar experience to Fagan's Ancient Rome. Because it is an overview, it didn't go into as much depth as some of the courses I see that are available. He did leave time for interpretation but often it was needed, like discussing the different schools of thought about Crete and Mycenae.

To me, this was one of the history courses that I could see a highschooler using for homeschooling or someone with little history knowledge being able to enjoy a great deal. But I also enjoyed it as someone who listens to a lot of history.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

JR Pinto

New Jersey

04/12/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent Overview"

I'm obsessed with Greek culture and, no matter how much you know about it, this lecture series will interest you.

Some of the negative reviews say that there is too much interpretation going on but I don't think that's exactly fair. For instance, so little is known about Minoan Greece that it is necessary to form interpretations.

Although, my favorite lecturer on Greek culture is Elizabeth Vandiver. Try her lectures after this one - they are even better.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Clavius

04/06/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Survey of Ancient Greece"

What did you love best about Ancient Greek Civilization?

This survey of ancient Greek history is a comprehensive but compact review of this key civilization. With the typical back and forth between narrative and topical content, I was brought back to my undergraduate courses in this topic. This course compares most favorably with the lectures I recall from years ago.

What did you like best about this story?

If you want to know the key events of Ancient Greece -- this is the course for you. From Marathon to the Peloponnesian war, from Pericles to Socrates, to the strange case of the Spartans, this has it all.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Carla

United States

01/12/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not what I was hoping for."

I'm a scientist, and thus I have not had an education in ancient history but respect the Greeks for all that they brought to modern civilization. I was hoping for a much more informative review of Greek civilization. This lecture may be if interest to someone with full knowledge of Greek history, but if you don't have that background, this lecture series is not very interesting.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

reyrey347

19/11/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Informative"

Lots of information that illuminates the origins of classical Greek culture and the timeline of events leading up to the Arrival of Alexander the Great.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

J Smith San Francisco

13/07/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great Overview"

One of the best of the Great Courses I have listened to from Audible. The instructor was interesting to listen and follow and the course was easy to follow.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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